- KEY POINTS
- Focus on clearing surfaces, closets, and sentimental items to create a peaceful, organized space.
- Declutter living rooms, kitchens, bedrooms, and bathrooms by removing excess items and reducing visual noise.
- Develop simple decluttering habits like limiting sentimental items, digitizing keepsakes, and organizing daily spaces.
Introduction
There’s something magical about stepping into a space that feels light, open, and free from clutter. Whenever I declutter a room—whether it’s just a drawer or an entire closet—I feel an immediate sense of calm. It’s as if clearing physical clutter somehow clears my mind too.
I used to underestimate the power of small decluttering tasks. I thought I needed to overhaul my entire home to feel at peace. But over time, I realized that even removing a few unnecessary items can create noticeable calm and mental clarity.
In this post, I’ll guide you through 20 things you can declutter today to bring more peace into your space and mind. Each section will focus on different areas of your home, with simple steps to help you let go of what no longer serves you. If you’re ready to experience instant calm, let’s dive in.
Decluttering the Living Room
The living room is often the heart of the home, but it can also become a catch-all space for clutter. I’ve found that clearing just a few items from this area makes the entire room feel more inviting.
Clear the Surfaces
One of the first things I do when decluttering my living room is clear the surfaces. Coffee tables, side tables, and shelves tend to accumulate random items—magazines, candles, remotes, and more. I keep only a few essentials and remove the rest.
When my coffee table holds nothing but a plant and a book I’m reading, the entire space feels lighter.
Reflective Question: What’s one surface in your living room that could benefit from being cleared today?
Simplify Decor
I love home decor, but I’ve learned that too many decorations can make a room feel crowded. I choose a few meaningful pieces to display and store or donate the rest. Less decor creates more visual breathing room.
If you’re not sure where to start, my Room-by-Room Guide to Decluttering Your Home breaks down the process for each area of the house.
Declutter Electronics and Cords
Few things create visual clutter as quickly as tangled cords and outdated electronics. I regularly check for devices I no longer use and either donate, recycle, or properly dispose of them.
Once, I found three old remotes that no longer worked. Letting them go instantly made my media console look neater.
Reflective Question: Is there an unused electronic device or cord you can let go of today?
Decluttering the Kitchen
The kitchen is another area that can quickly become overwhelmed with clutter. Since it’s a space I use every day, keeping it organized helps me feel calm and more in control.
Declutter Countertops
I keep my kitchen counters as clear as possible, leaving out only the appliances I use daily. This creates a sense of order and makes cooking feel less chaotic.
For me, that means keeping the toaster and coffee maker, but storing everything else in cabinets.
Reflective Question: Could your kitchen countertops benefit from more open space?
Toss Expired Items
Pantries and refrigerators are magnets for expired items. I make it a habit to declutter them every few months, tossing anything that’s past its date or that I know I won’t use.
Recently, I cleared out expired spices, and it made me realize how much extra space was being taken up unnecessarily.
For more small habits like this, I recommend 10-Minute Daily Decluttering Habits for a Tidy Home.
Reduce Duplicate Items
I once opened a drawer and found four vegetable peelers. I kept the one I liked best and donated the others. It’s amazing how many duplicates we accumulate without even realizing it.
Reflective Question: Do you have duplicate kitchen tools that could be decluttered today?
Decluttering the Bedroom
The bedroom should be a sanctuary, a place where you can unwind and feel at peace. However, it’s easy for clutter to pile up—clothes, books, and random items often find their way into this space. I’ve found that decluttering my bedroom immediately improves how I sleep and relax.
Clear the Nightstands
Nightstands are prime real estate for clutter. I used to have piles of books, phone chargers, and even snacks next to my bed. Now, I keep my nightstand limited to a lamp, a single book, and a glass of water. The simplicity helps me feel calm before I sleep.
Reflective Question: What’s on your nightstand that doesn’t need to be there?
Declutter Your Closet
Clothing clutter was one of my biggest hurdles. I used to hold onto clothes I hadn’t worn in years, convincing myself I might wear them someday. When I finally decluttered my closet, I let go of anything that didn’t fit, wasn’t comfortable, or didn’t bring me joy.
A simple trick I use is the “hanger test.” I hang all my clothes facing the same way, and after I wear something, I turn the hanger around. After a few months, anything still facing the original way gets donated.
For more tips on simplifying your wardrobe, check out 5 Questions to Simplify Decluttering Decisions.
Reflective Question: What’s one piece of clothing you can donate or let go of today?
Limit the Decor
Like the living room, too much decor in the bedroom can create visual noise. I used to have shelves filled with knick-knacks, but I found that simplifying the decor helped the space feel more peaceful. A plant, a framed photo, and one or two decorations are all I need now.
Reflective Question: Is there a piece of decor in your bedroom that could be removed or simplified?
Decluttering the Bathroom
The bathroom is one of the smallest spaces in the home, but it’s often one of the most cluttered. Between half-used products, old toiletries, and stacks of towels, the bathroom can quickly feel overwhelming.
Simplify the Countertops
I used to keep skincare, makeup, and hair products scattered across the bathroom counter. Now, I store them in drawers or cabinets, leaving only the essentials—like hand soap and a toothbrush—on the counter. This one change makes the space feel cleaner and calmer.
Reflective Question: What’s one product you can store or discard from your bathroom counter today?
Toss Expired Products
I once found sunscreen that had expired three years earlier. I had been holding onto it without realizing it was long past its prime. Now, I regularly go through my bathroom drawers and toss anything expired or unused.
Expired products not only take up space but can also be ineffective or harmful. Decluttering them creates more room for the products I actually use.
Reflective Question: How long has it been since you checked for expired items in your bathroom?
Limit Towels and Linens
I had more towels than I could possibly use. After decluttering, I kept just two sets per person and donated the extras. This freed up valuable space in the linen closet and simplified laundry routines.
If you need more guidance, Simple Minimalism and How to Declutter Without Going Extreme offers strategies for downsizing without feeling deprived.
Reflective Question: How many towels and linens do you actually need?
Decluttering Sentimental Items
Choose What Sparks the Strongest Joy
When I first decluttered sentimental items, I felt overwhelmed by the sheer number of things I had collected over the years—old letters, childhood toys, gifts from friends, and souvenirs from vacations. I realized I didn’t need to keep everything to remember the experiences.
Now, I focus on keeping only the most meaningful items. One framed photo from a trip holds more value to me than a drawer full of postcards. By selecting the pieces that spark the strongest joy, I free myself from unnecessary clutter.
For more tips on releasing sentimental items, check out A Simple Way to Let Go of Sentimental Clutter.
Reflective Question: Is there one sentimental item you could let go of while keeping the memory?
Digitize Keepsakes
I’ve started scanning old photos, letters, and cards. Digitizing allows me to preserve memories without physically storing them. It also gives me peace of mind knowing that these memories are backed up and safe.
For bulky items—like children’s artwork or old certificates—I take photos and create digital albums. This practice significantly reduced the amount of sentimental clutter in my home.
Reflective Question: Could you digitize one sentimental item today to create more physical space?
Create a Memory Box
For the sentimental items I choose to keep, I limit them to one small box. This boundary forces me to be selective and ensures that sentimental clutter doesn’t spread throughout my home.
When the box starts to fill up, I revisit it and part with items that no longer feel as meaningful. This system keeps my sentimental collection manageable and intentional.
Reflective Question: Could limiting sentimental items to one box help you manage emotional clutter?
Decluttering the Home Office
A cluttered home office can severely impact productivity. I used to find myself distracted by piles of paper, unopened mail, and random office supplies. Now, I prioritize keeping my workspace clear and organized.
Declutter Papers and Documents
One of the fastest ways I declutter my office is by sorting through paperwork. I shred or recycle anything I no longer need and file important documents. Whenever possible, I switch to digital records to reduce paper clutter.
For ongoing tasks, I use labeled folders and a simple filing system that prevents piles from accumulating.
Reflective Question: Is there a stack of paper you can declutter or digitize today?
Limit Office Supplies
I used to keep multiple sets of pens, notebooks, and sticky notes, far more than I could ever use. After decluttering, I kept just the essentials—one notebook, a few pens, and a single drawer of supplies. This helped my office feel more streamlined.
For more guidance on decluttering workspaces, Declutter Your Mind for Inner Peace and Focus explores how a clear space supports a focused mind.
Reflective Question: Are there unused office supplies you could donate or let go of today?
Clear the Desk Surface
A cluttered desk can create mental noise, making it harder to focus. I limit my desk to only the tools I need—my computer, a notebook, and a lamp. Everything else is stored away until needed.
This habit ensures my workspace is always ready for productive sessions.
Reflective Question: What non-essential item could you remove from your desk right now?
Miscellaneous Spaces That Often Collect Clutter
Entryways and Hallways
Entryways tend to collect shoes, bags, keys, and miscellaneous items. I added a small basket for keys and hooks for coats, creating a designated spot for everything. This simple change reduced clutter significantly.
Reflective Question: Could adding a small organizational tool to your entryway reduce clutter?
Garage and Storage Areas
Garages and storage spaces are often the most cluttered areas. I declutter mine seasonally, donating or recycling anything I haven’t used in over a year. Keeping storage spaces organized prevents me from feeling overwhelmed by excess items.
Reflective Question: Is there one item in your garage or storage that you can donate today?
The “Miscellaneous Drawer”
We all have that one drawer filled with random items—batteries, takeout menus, old keys. I make it a habit to empty and reorganize this drawer every few months. More often than not, half the items can be thrown out or relocated.
For more insights, I recommend 5 Questions to Simplify Decluttering Decisions to help make faster, more confident choices.
Reflective Question: Could you declutter one miscellaneous drawer today and bring instant calm to your space?
Conclusion
Decluttering isn’t about perfection or minimalism—it’s about creating a home that feels calm, functional, and reflective of the life you want to live. By focusing on small, manageable areas—like nightstands, counters, and drawers—you can create instant calm that ripples throughout your space.
Every item you let go of creates more room for peace and simplicity. Whether you start by clearing your kitchen counter or digitizing sentimental items, know that each step brings you closer to a clutter-free, peaceful home.
If you’re ready for a bigger challenge, I highly recommend 30-Day Decluttering Challenge for a Tidy Home to help you declutter consistently over time.
You deserve to live in a space that brings you calm, not chaos. Let today be the start of that transformation.
References
Blog Post References
- 10-Minute Daily Decluttering Habits for a Tidy Home
- Easy Guide to Declutter Your Home in One Weekend
- A Simple Way to Let Go of Sentimental Clutter
- Declutter Your Mind for Inner Peace and Focus
- Simple Minimalism and How to Declutter Without Going Extreme
- Room-by-Room Guide to Decluttering Your Home
- 5 Questions to Simplify Decluttering Decisions
- 30-Day Decluttering Challenge for a Tidy Home
